More Ilocos Norte fund anomalies uncovered

The House committee on good government and public accountability has uncovered more fund irregularities allegedly committed by the provincial government of Ilocos Norte.

At the resumption of the hearing on the alleged misuse of P66.4 million in tobacco funds, the committee learned that Gov. Imee Marcos authorized additional cash advances amounting to P26 million.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, committee chairman, said the cash advances were for several purchases, including a portrait bust sculpture and services for the Paoay Museum (P2,986,344), materials, installation of precast concrete for Paseo de Paoay (P4,838,191.68) and medicine and fertilizers (P16.5 million).

Together with the three cash advances for the 115 vehicles bought by the provincial government using tobacco funds, the new cash advances violated Commission on Audit (COA) Circular 92-383, Pimentel said.

He said the COA allows only small amounts of cash advances, which can be used for salaries, overtime pay and allowances.

House majority leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas raised the possibility of a “conspiracy” between the provincial government and former resident auditor Rizalino Franco.

Fariñas said he received a text message that Marcos hired Franco as financial consultant with a monthly salary of P20,000 after he retired from COA.

Franco did not raise red flags about the procurement of 110 multicabs and minitrucks and three second-hand buses using tobacco funds, Fariñas said.

“You did not even inform the governor about the finding of an audit team questioning such procurement and the irregular use of cash advances,” Fariñas said.

Franco said he failed to tell Marcos about the COA report because he had been transferred to Ilocos Sur.

Fariñas said Ilocos Norte does not deserve the seal of good local governance it received from the Department of the Interior and Local Government. “The use of cash advances violates every rule in the book,” he said.